Setting up the score

Goals

Open score (generative)

Alphabet defined by :

• pitch: scale, interval ;
• duration: proportion, speed ;
• timbre: harmonic components, proportion between these components and their evolution;
• amplitude: definition of degrees, relative or absolute scale;
• envelope: definition of curves and functions, scale of values, modification of functions.

Derivation rules, or rewriting rules :

• context-free ;
• context-dependent.

Different levels of the alphabet; specificity of rules linked to each alphabet (form is the consequence of the use of these different levels separately or in combination with each other)

Closed score

Completely established text, finished "by hand", which implies :

• the basic components, but also ;
• structural dimensions: event density, vertical or horizontal arrangement ;
• formal dimensions: deterministic/random/combinatorics.

Means

1) Logical relationship between material and rules

Create the territory
Criteria are :

• validity (e.g.: the notion of scale is no longer valid when dealing with highly complex sound objects) ;
• relevance (e.g.: you can swap the curves of different harmonics, you can't swap harmonics).

2) Sorting of material and methods Restrictive rules for creating fields in each category; restrictive rules for interaction between fields.

3) Composition Introduction of structural data to organize interactions and create shape elements.

Changes and transformations

Changes to components

• Reclassification of categories one by one, or of categories in pairs;
• Component replaced by another, or component neutralized (filtered). (Either the component is not replaced: a hole in the texture, or the component disappears, with those on either side joining and welding together)
• Appropriate interaction rules. (If micro-intervals, then extended time/duration in relation to reduced intervals)

Changes in structures, which may or may not be the consequence of changes in components

If we neutralize the pitch elements, we may have another presentation of the same structure with holes, or a new, narrower structure.
If, in a fixed structure, we change a vertical superposition of lines into a diagonal superposition, we don't have to change the components.

Open, generative score

Change alphabet definition, rewriting rules, layout.

Closed, non-evolving score

Change layout.

Triggering methods

Trigger the partition - closed structure - which automatically goes to the end.

Trigger the score - open structure - which needs another trigger to stop.

To play or not to play

• Trigger: action of playing, the score stops when you don't play
• Trigger: action of not playing, score stops when played.

Dynamic threshold

• Above threshold: trigger, below threshold: stop.
• Below threshold: trigger, above threshold: stop.

Pitch detection

• By register ;
• By precise frequency.

In all cases: instantaneous or delayed trigger.